Rheem Introduces the Rheem Professional Water Heaters

Defining a new standard in quality, this full range of water heaters available only for the trade represents Rheem’s most comprehensive residential water heating line-up ever

ATLANTA—Oct. 15, 2013–Today, Rheem unveiled a new line of water heaters designed specifically for wholesalers and plumbing professionals. Rheem Professional Water Heaters include exclusive features, product tiers, professional-grade quality and contractor-focused benefits—making this line-up the company’s most premier offering to-date.

“Rheem Professional Water Heaters are a result of re-imagining our entire water heating portfolio with the contractor in mind,” said Mike Branson, vice president, product development, Rheem. “We employed the Rheem 360°+1 philosophy when creating this series, meaning our team evaluated every detail of the existing residential water heater line and then went about designing products with features for our wholesalers and plumbing customers that further improve reliability and help reduce time to install and service.”

The Professional series includes a full range of models organized into three distinguishable product tiers that make selling and upselling easier for contractors. The tiers include:

Professional Prestige™: With Energy Factors (EFs) up to 0.94 for gas-fired tankless units, 0.82 for gas-fired tank models, and 2.45 for electric units, Prestige models are the most energy-efficient water heaters on the market today. Units in the Prestige series offer up to a 12-year warranty on the tank and parts.

Professional Classic Plus™: These units offer exceptional performance and high EFs—up to 0.70 for gas models and 0.95 for electric units. System Sentinel diagnostics, which feature an intuitive LED indication of the status of the heater to confirm operation and aid on service calls, comes standard on all electric models. All models in the Classic Plus family come with an eight-year warranty for the tank and parts.

Professional Classic™: These water heaters have all of the essentials that contractors expect from Rheem at price points that meet the needs of budget-conscious homeowners. System Sentinel is available as an option on Classic electric models. EFs reach up to 0.67 for gas models and 0.93 for electric units. This series comes with a six-year warranty for the tank and parts.

One of the most noticeable new features included on all products in this line is an enhanced-flow brass drain valve, which cuts the amount of time it takes to drain a water heater in half. Plus, all electric models come with at least one stainless steel element for added performance and longevity. Many longstanding features that contractors have come to expect from Rheem, like the company’s best-in-class Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant (FVIR) system, are also included on all product tiers.

The majority of models in the Professional series now have new, more intuitive model numbers reflective of the fuel type, capacity, height, elements, EF and more. Rheem.com and MyRheem.com, Rheem’s secure portal for contractors and wholesalers, are equipped with an online model number cross reference tool that helps customers quickly transition to the new model numbers The online tool can be accessed via Rheem.com/CrossReference.

In conjunction with the launch of the Professional series, Rheem is introducing an updated suite of training and marketing programs for customers that will help them switch to this line-up. MyRheem.com now includes transition support, training, marketing tools and an enhanced ProClub program.

The ProClub program allows contractors to accrue bonus points for installing Rheem products and then redeem those points on business tools, gifts and gift cards. Many commercial models also qualify for the program. ProClub has been enhanced to complement the Professional series. All products in the Classic Plus tier qualify for two bonus points, and units in the Prestige series now qualify for five bonus points. To learn more about ProClub, visit MyRheem.com/ProClub.

The Professional series is available under the Rheem and Ruud brands. Ruud contractors can access MyRuud.com for training and marketing support, and they can log onto MyRuud.com/ProClub for information on the ProClub program. For more information about the Professional Water Heaters, please contact your sales representative.

About Rheem (www.rheem.com)
Rheem is privately held with headquarters in Atlanta and U.S. operations in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Indiana, North Carolina and Texas. In its 88th year of operation, the company manufactures a full-line of eco-friendly, technologically advanced residential and commercial heating and cooling systems; tank, tankless, solar and hybrid heat pump water heaters; whole-home standby generators, controls, swimming pool and spa heaters; indoor air-purification products; and commercial boilers throughout North America and world markets. The company’s premium brands, including Rheem, Raypak, Ruud and Richmond have been recognized with countless industry and consumer awards for reliability, innovative design and high quality.